Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Walter L. Frost
• Type: Package Freighter
• Year Built: 1883
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length: 235.7 ft (71.9 m); Width: 36.9 ft (11.2 m); Depth: 12.9 ft (3.9 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 3.7 m / 12 ft
• Location: Manitou Passage, Lake Michigan
• Official Number: 80973

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Walter L. Frost was a package freighter, designed to transport smaller cargo parcels, general goods, and sometimes passengers. These vessels were critical for moving diverse shipments efficiently during the late 19th and early 20th centuries on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Walter L. Frost was built in 1883, during a period of significant growth in maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Equipped with a fore and aft double expansion steam engine, it was capable of efficiently moving freight over long distances.

On September 10, 1903, while navigating Lake Michigan, the vessel was lost under circumstances not fully detailed in historical records. The ship met its fate in the Manitou Passage, a well-traveled route for shipping in northern Lake Michigan. Despite its loss, there were no reports of casualties, highlighting the competency of the crew in evacuating the vessel safely.

History

The Walter L. Frost was a significant vessel in the maritime history of the Great Lakes, contributing to the transportation of goods during a booming era. Its construction and operation reflect the technological advancements of the time.

Significant Incidents

• Lost on September 10, 1903, in Lake Michigan.
• No reported casualties during the sinking.

Final Disposition

The wreck lies in 12 ft (3.7 m) of water near Manitou Passage, Michigan. The shallow site features the bottom of the ship and parts of its sides. Several mechanical elements remain at the site, including the engine base, some boiler plates, piping, and the lower half of the shaft log. The hull’s steel cross-strapping is still visible, providing a glimpse into the construction techniques of wooden freighters of the time.

Reports indicate the presence of a boiler, but it was not observed during the most recent survey of the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Walter L. Frost wreck site is part of the Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve, a protected area dedicated to preserving shipwrecks in northern Lake Michigan. The site has been surveyed and documented, offering valuable insights into Great Lakes maritime history.

The site is shallow and accessible to recreational divers and snorkelers. However, divers should exercise care to avoid disturbing or damaging the wreckage. Strong currents and changing weather conditions in the Manitou Passage area can occasionally pose challenges to exploration.

Resources & Links

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As you explore the Walter L. Frost, remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. Be the diver that makes a difference by respecting this historical site and its artifacts.